Suckerpunch

Once in a while, a truly unique movie comes up. It makes you go WTF, and really is not something that's readily understood. What's better...it masquerades as an action flick. Suckerpunch is precisely that movie.

There's a word to describe Suckerpunch, and that word is "disjointed". At first glance, the story appears to be incoherent, and from what I've seen it seems that the movie's been badly panned for precisely that reason. Whoever thinks that is the case has totally missed the point. The movie doesn't attempt to be, neither does it serve as, a challenge to Inception. It's not the kind of narrative that is convoluted, while attempting to tie up all the loose ends. It's a unique narrative, to me. A narrative that works by sheer omission: It tells you everything but what the story really is about.

I find the narrative-by-omission to be a stroke of genius, because the premise is about a rich heiress who is politicked into a mental asylum and is basically losing the last dregs of her sanity (and from a procedure that will not be named in the avoidance of providing spoilers).

As I've said, the movie attempts to masquerade as an action flick, and flashes erratically between the dreary reality of the real world, the sordid dance club with its garish colors, and the earthy drama of the fantasy combat realm. I find this erratic jumping to be a perfect representation of the breakdown of the psyche, and is in itself fantastic. What's better, each scene in the combat realm is completely unrelated to one another, yet maintains some aspects of the dance club realm. Yet, the unrelated combat scenes manage to throw in every over the top pop culture trope in bizarre action sequences. The references alone make the movie worth watching.

I've said much, and perhaps I've spoiled it for some even for that. Regardless, I think much remains for personal interpretation, and it's really up to the reader to decide just what the whole thing is about. For me, I'd buy the dvd (or bluray) just to watch it over and over again. 9.5/10.

Earth Invasion: Battle Los Angeles

Cheesy title. If my colleagues didn't ask me out to watch this with them, I would've passed on it on general principle. But now that I've watched it, I don't think I regret spending that time.

BLA is Hurt Locker meets Independence Day. As with sci-fi type alien invasion movies, plot holes are not only expected...they're probably encouraged. Ok really, I can think of a bunch of ways such technologically advanced aliens could've done things more efficiently. As in with much less loss of alien life and ordnance.

That said, the movie manages to capture the paranoia and drama of battle, specifically the knowledge that death may well be lurking around the next corner...after whole swathes of peace and quiet. The movie manages to get by with a surprisingly low tech art style for the aliens, and really I do think it's refreshing to see ghetto atmospheric thrusters and alien machinegunnery instead of the usual slick laser toting variety.

Not much can be said about the story in general, though I note that it doesn't attempt to shoehorn a romance into the narrative and that's always a plus. I'd say...8/10. I like the action and the desperation the show manages to portray. I don't care for the storyline though IMO it's not a big deal in such flicks. That's all.

The Invisible Killer

I think there are few things as frightening to mortals as the idea of an invisible killer stalking them. Of the many invisible killers stalking mortals, ionizing radiation is pretty salient at this point. Specifically the ongoing meltdown over at good ole Japan. Lovely.

Right, then. There have been reports of radiation leakage at the nuke reactor, and the Chinese are understandably concerned about the situation. What's interesting is how the people at risk will grasp at straws to ensure that their continued health is maintained. In this case, there was a run on salt, because a rumor went around that consuming salt (presumably iodized salt in this case, because of the iodine content) would safeguard one from radiation related ailments.

Indeed, it seems to me that this is a really good way to manipulate the masses, by putting them in fear of their own well being. A good way to achieve this is to create an invisible enemy that everyone must band together to fight. An invisible killer that only the leadership can see for sure. Of course, that also demands the peoples' absolute obedience to the cause...

Love The Night

I've recently rediscovered my love for night photography. In general, I don't feel much like shooting at night because it's primarily about shooting the city lights. Which isn't necessarily all that awesome. Or original.

Then I decided that hell...if I was in a city full of tall apartment buildings with public access, why the heck am I not taking advantage of the readily available sniper perches. As a bonus, it's all happening at night, precisely when I don't feel like I'm having my face burned off. Sounds like a win win situation for me.

Well, so far I've been having a ball. The perspectives are fresh, and soon they shall be stale. It is then that I shall be forced to innovate again, and that is where my skills shall improve. Or not. Whatever. It's fun =p

On Iodine And Fallout

Mom received a hoax SMS saying that exposure to fallout was imminent and that everyone should stay indoors and stock up on iodine. Alarmed by this "notification", she proceeded to inform dad and he went to buy some rubbing iodine. Lovely. I do so love misinformation, especially in uncertain times.

I think it is highly irresponsible to send out such alarmist messages when it can cause a run on the iodine stocks and ultimately does everyone not one whit of good. Seriously, folks, the iodine you want is potassium iodide tablets...which, incidentally, are not readily available around these parts as of the time of this writing.

I find it interesting that everyone's so alarmed about it, when in all probability any fallout that comes all the way is likely to be greatly dissipated. In the event that sufficiently high levels arrive as to call for distribution of iodine tablets, I think radiation levels in general are going to be hazardous enough to seriously consider leaving the region for a time.

On Japan

Japan is facing a tragedy of proportions that rival WWII. Huge swathes of the island are currently waterlogged and large numbers of people have been swept away by the waters of the ocean. Yes, I think it is the perfect time to send out alarmist messages of the imminent end of the world, and to scare everyone into becoming religious. Or just scared in general.

The thing that pisses me off the most is not religion itself, but how people are warping religions purported to be about love into something that's built on hatred. I care not for the good intentions undoubtedly behind whatever it is that they're selling...I paved the road to Hell with good intentions quite some time back. And messed with their cooling systems, but that's another story for another day.

Anyway, if there's anything that can serve to aid me in losing my nonexistent faith in humanity, this is most certainly a part of the deal. Along with all the other stuff that people do that're just galling. Much as I don't like humans in general anyway, I still wish Japan all the best...if only to spite the hypocrites.

The EPL1

I finally sucked it up and bought myself an EPL1. Now, I've had an issue with my ageing compact camera for some time. Primarily, the resolution leaves much to be desired, while the image quality is passable only in the best lighting. After being spoiled by dslrs for so long, I've come to realize that I really do find it unsatisfying to shoot with a compact, however convenient its portability is. Not to mention I'm something of a control freak, which doesn't help...much.

That said, I find that the EPL1 fits the bill of compact camera replacement pretty well. It's heftier and noticeably larger than my compact, for sure. However, it's got effectively the same imaging capability of my dslr in exchange for greatly lower weight/bulk but sacrificing sheer speed. I find that to be a reasonable tradeoff in everyday carry. Never again will I have to grumble to myself that I didn't bring a more serious camera out to shoot a lovely scene that just decided to show up.

Now, that doesn't mean that the new body is a replacement for my dslr. Not at the moment, anyway. I'm sure its descendants would achieve that at some later date, however. In the meantime, when I go on dedicated photo expeditions, I'll be sure to carry my more robust and speedier body. But for day to day casuals...the EPL1 is hard to beat.